OWINGS MILLS — Lamar Jackson is getting the respect fans contend he deserves.
The Ravens’ two-time NFL MVP was rated as the league’s fourth-best quarterback heading into the 2024 season in a poll of league executives, coaches, and scouts by ESPN.
Jackson was ranked behind Kansas City’s three-time Super Bowl champion and two-time NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs), Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals), and Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills).
“It took far too long, but NFL circles are finally giving Jackson respect as a top-tier passer,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote. “He nearly snagged the No. 2 spot but got slightly outpaced by Burrow and Allen in the voting. And there’s a wide gulf in the voting between the top four and the rest of the field.”
Jackson was named NFL MVP last season and in 2019 he was one vote shy of being a unanimous choice. He is the 11th player in NFL history to win the award multiple times, joining Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Jim Brown, Brett Favre, Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana, Steve Young, Kurt Warner and Mahomes.
Last season, Jackson threw for 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns with career highs in completion percentage (67.2) and yards per completion (8) in 16 regular-season games. He also led the Ravens with 821 yards rushing, averaging 5.5 yards per carry and five scores.
His seven 50-yard rushing games give Jackson 54 in his career, tying Michael Vick’s all-time mark for quarterbacks. He also became the first quarterback to run for 700 or more yards in five consecutive seasons, He was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for Weeks 7 and 17.
“How he came in, with everything stuck to that stigma as a runner, that sticks with you as a pro until you prove them wrong,” an anonymous NFC executive told ESPN. “That’s not fair but that’s the way it’s been with him. There wasn’t any doubt who the best player in the league was last year. So, it’s long been time to put that to rest.”
The Chiefs are the favorites this season to win another Super Bowl. They are followed by the 49ers and Ravens. If Jackson can win a title, he will likely be ranked among the best quarterbacks to ever play in the NFL.